HISTORY LESSON: Charter DCI Hall of Fame member Dr. David Kampschroer addresses more than 170 Jersey Surf December camp attendees.

Despite threatening winter weather forcing the rescheduling of the Jersey Surf's December rehearsal camp weekend, more than 170 intrepid souls descended on the Camden County Technical School only a few days before Christmas to continue the audition process as the corps prepares to mount its 2008 production. A highlight of the weekend was a visit from Dr. David Kampschroer, former director of the Blue Stars of Lacrosse, WI, current chairman of the DCI Hall of Fame committee and one of the "founding fathers" of Drum Corps International.

"Dr. Kampschroer's visit was a part of the evaluation process from the Drum Corps International Participation Review Committee," said Brian Prato, Director of Operations for The Jersey Surf. "The committee is responsible for evaluating corps seeking the opportunity to participate in Drum Corps International-sanctioned tour events, and in our case, is also responsible for making recommendations to the DCI Board of Directors regarding the application of corps wishing to move into the World Class," Prato said.

"Although we've applied for World Class status for the 2009 competitive season, we respectfully requested our primary evaluation to take place prior to the start of the 2008 tour, so that we could identify areas of growth opportunity for our organization and so that we could draw upon the substantial experience and perspective of Dr. Kampschroer and other members of the committee to help us to prepare the organization for sustained success at the World Class level," Prato said. "We are very grateful for the opportunity to exchange information and we've already learned a considerable amount by taking part in this process. We will continue to work with the PRC to establish, evaluate and achieve operational goals and opportunities throughout the coming year."

During the course of the weekend, Dr. Kampschroer sat in on various auditions as well as sectional and ensemble rehearsals, visited with corps managers, board members and instructional staff, and chatted with support team members and corps members as well. He also had the chance to enjoy a fun-themed "4th of July in December" summertime meal prepared by the corps' legendary cooking staff.

The "Participation Review" process, consisting of detailed financial and organizational reporting, relationship-building meetings between DCI representatives and members of the corps' Board of Directors as well as on-site evaluations and interviews, was established to provide both startup and established organizations with objective guidance and to assist in the creation of a successful partnership between DCI and its member units. "We're proud of what we've been able to achieve through the slow, deliberate and patient strategic
development of our organizational infrastructure," Prato added. "With the additional input of DCI through the Participation Review Committee, we are now able to incorporate the best practices of other successful organizations into our own. This will enable us to better serve our members and increase the quality of the corps and its program offerings as it continues to grow and evolve."

Dr. Kampschroer's report on his visit with The Surf will be presented to the Drum Corps International Executive Committee at the 2008 Annual Meeting in Orlando later this month.

Learn more about the Drum Corps International Hall of Fame: http://www.dci.org/about/fame/